Thanksgiving

Chapter 4

After goodbyes from everyone, Ted and Phoebe lay down for a nap without hesitation and Christian and I go to our bedroom.

"So," I say as I sit on our bed looking at Christian who sits in the overstuffed chair that's situated in the corner. "What did Taylor tell you?"

"Well, apparently there was an altercation at the grocery store between you and another woman and a boy. Jason wasn't able to find any identity on either of them with any of the security cameras at the store and the facial recognition software. They left by bus and we have no idea where they went."

I hadn't heard the latter part of the story yet. I was disappointed that they weren't able to get more information on the woman. Now that she knew we were aware of her the chances of her returning to the store were probably slim. "Did you see the boy?" I ask as I look at Christian.

"The images weren't terribly clear but I have a general idea of what he looks like." He says.

"A general idea?" I ask.

Christian looks confused. "What am I missing, Ana?"

I breathe heavily trying to weigh my words. "What were you doing oh.... 7, 8 or even 9 years ago?"

Christian rests his elbows on the arms of the chair and steeples his index fingers to his mouth as he eyes me. "I don't understand your question. I'm pretty sure you know what I was doing then."

"OK," I say getting angry. "WHO were you doing 7 or 8 years ago?" I say, clenching my hands into fists.

The words can almost be seen traveling through the room and into his chest. He takes a deep breath and sits back in the chair looking towards the ceiling. "Well, it depends. There were a few girls that came and went before Leila around that time."

The sound of her name cuts me to the quick. I haven't thought of her in years. Let alone heard her name.

"Well," I say standing and heading to the door. "I have a feeling you need to figure that out - and fast. Judging by what I saw today - Phoebe might have two brothers." I leave the room and slam the door behind me.

As soon as I step into the hallway I remember I wasn't done talking to my aggravating husband. I turn around and step back into the bedroom as Christian is just standing from his chair.

"I forgot. I'm not done."

He sits back down in the chair and looks at me in frustration.

I look at him and those gray eyes are piercing me. How does he still do this to me? "I love you," I say.

Christian eyes me strangely, curious as to the sudden change of direction of our conversation. "I love you too, Anastasia."

My full name. He's not playing fair. "I love ONLY you."

"And I you, baby." He stands to take my hands but I step back.

"There is NO ONE who will EVER come between us. NO ONE."

"That's good to hear," says Christian.

"How many times have I said this and how many times do you have to hear it before you stop being so damn stubborn and controlling?"

"You know stubborn and controlling is who I am. Where is this coming from?"

"I talked to Jones today," I say gauging his response.

"Ok, let me guess – you went through his register line?"

"No, I did not. Mr. Porca opened a register for us," I say.